Isaiah 1–12

Isaiah 1–12

Overview

The Savior declared, “great are the words of Isaiah” (3 Nephi 23:1) and commanded us to search his prophecies diligently. Isaiah’s prophecies are so significant that he is quoted more frequently throughout the standard works than any other prophet. Many of Isaiah’s prophecies focus on the Messiah and the Restoration of Israel in the latter days. Through Isaiah, the Lord promised that though our “sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). He also warned of a time when people would “call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). We also learn that the Lord promised to “set up an ensign for the nations” (Isaiah 11:12) to gather scattered Israel.

Love those you teach—Seek to clarify and understand the real intent of students’ questions, feelings, and beliefs. As students ask questions and make comments in class, it can be helpful to clarify and understand their feelings and beliefs, looking for the real intent of their questions. After students ask questions or make comments, one way to do this is to thank them and ask clarifying questions, seeking to understand what they might be wondering or worrying about.

For additional training on how seek to clarify and understand the real intent of students’ questions, feelings, and beliefs see: “Seek to know your students—understand their circumstances, needs, and strengths,” in Teacher Development Skills.

For more on how the Savior did this, see “The Savior Knows Us and Understands Our Circumstances, Needs, and Strengths,” Teaching in the Savior’s Way (2022), 13.

Prepare to Teach

The following information provides you with ideas for what you may need to prepare in advance for each lesson.

Introduction to Isaiah

Lesson purpose: To help students feel motivated to learn about Jesus Christ through studying Isaiah.

• Student preparation: Consider inviting students to come to class prepared to share a significant fact about Isaiah. They could look up Isaiah in the Bible Dictionary or Guide to the Scriptures.

• Content to display: Statements about being persuaded to read a book; the infographic “The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah at a Glance;” a diagram for students to write what they learn about names and titles of Jesus Christ; pictures of Jesus Christ

Isaiah 1

Lesson purpose: To help students feel confident that the Savior can cleanse them from their sins.

• Student preparation: Invite students to read the doctrinal mastery passage Isaiah 1:18 and look for the imagery that Isaiah used. Encourage students to ponder and prepare to share what the passage means to them. Students could also practice memorizing the key scripture phrase: “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

• Content to display: An image of stained clothing; images of scarlet, crimson, snow, and wool; the prompt for students to reflect on their feelings about being cleansed from sin

• Videos: “Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness” (11:29) from time code 6:56 to 7:42; “There Is No Limit to God’s Love” (5:38) from time code 0:00 to 4:54

Isaiah 5

Lesson purpose: To help students increase their ability to discern between good and evil.

• Student preparation: Invite students to come to class prepared to share an example of something that was assumed to be harmless, or even good, that eventually was shown to be harmful.

• Items to prepare: Copies of For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022)

• Content to display: an image of a camouflaged cheetah; statement from Elder David A. Bednar; instructions for the study activity using For the Strength of Youth; A Guide of Making Choices; journal question at the end of the lesson

• Video: “Watchful unto Prayer Continually” (15:59) from time code 5:24 to 6:07

Isaiah 11–12

Lesson purpose: To help students feel more motivated to share the gospel with others.

• Student preparation: Consider giving each student the two self-evaluation questions from the beginning of the lesson and inviting them to ponder how they would answer.

• Content to display: Image of a tree stem, roots, and rod; instructions for how to use the handout

• Video: One of the following stories from Gary E. Stevenson, “Love, Share, Invite,” Liahona, May 2022:

  • Brother Wisan (page 86 or time code 5:40–7:06)

  • Mayra (page 86 or time code 8:33–9:42)

• Handout: “An Ensign for the Nations”